Email Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make informed choices about their health. The medical procedures can be invasive, so patients should be able decide according to the known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to provide treatment to patients they must be given the process of informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding condition under which a patient is given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the acting physician. After receiving this information the patient has to sign a consent form with the doctor to treat before any form or treatment can be delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent the health professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances the patients aren’t equipped with the capabilities to fully understand their options in terms of treatment and the risks and benefits that come with each. In other instances patients may not be able to effectively explain their decisions to health care professionals. When this occurs patients are said to lack the appropriate capacity for decision-making. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative can give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for instance could be classified as not able to make decisions. People who are not conscious cannot make decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Email Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The procedure recommended by the medical professional in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are offered, as are their benefits and risks
The dangers and advantages with accepting no treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be detailed in documentation however, they must discuss the situation with patients. So, he can fully comprehend what is happening and will be able to get immediate answers to any concerns that might be arising.